A migraine, severe headaches often accompanied by visual disturbances, nausea and vomiting, are three times more common in men than women. They may be triggered by a number of factors including certain medications, smoking, bright lights and noise. If you experience more than two migraines per month, your doctor might prescribe medicines to stop the from happening. Certain supplements, including coenzyme Q10, or CoQ10, might also help to prevent migraine headaches, although scientific evidence to prove this is limited. Get medical advice before taking any new supplements.
Properties and Potential Benefits
CoQ10, also known as ubiquinone, was first isolated from cells in 1957. A vitamin-like substance, CoQ10 is produced by the body and is also found in a wide variety of foods. It plays an important role in energy production and might also play a role in the treatment of a number of conditions including asthma, neurological conditions and heart disease. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes it might also help to prevent migraines, although more research is needed to prove it is effective.
Administration
CoQ10 supplements are available in capsules or tablets. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that 100 mg three taken three times per day is sometimes used to help prevent migraines. However, this dosage is only intended as a guideline. Check with your doctor or pharmacist that this dose is appropriate for you.
Effectiveness
Conclusive proof that CoQ10 is an effective prophylactic treatment for migraine is lacking. However, findings from several studies are promising. For example, the results of a study published in the February 2005 issue of "Neurology" show that taking 100 mg of CoQ10 three times daily reduces migraine frequency following three months of treatment. Research findings published in the January 2007 issue of "Headache" also show that CoQ10 supplementation might reduce migraine frequency.
Safety Considerations
The Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center notes that side effects from CoQ10 supplements are infrequent but might include nausea, a reduced appetite and diarrhea. Don't take CoQ10 supplements if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Keep in mind that CoQ10 supplements may interact with other drugs you might be taking including the cholesterol-lowering drugs, lovastatin, atorvastatin and simvastatin. It might also prevent chemotherapeutic from working properly, so avoid CoQ10 supplements if you are undergoing cancer treatment.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Migraine Headache
- Patient UK: Coenzyme Q10; Dr Richard Draper; September 2009
- "Neurology"; Efficacy of Coenzyme Q10 in Migraine Prophylaxis: A Randomized Controlled Trial; P.S. Sandor, et al.; November 2005
- "Headache"; Coenzyme Q10 Deficiency and Response to Supplementation in Pediatric and Adolescent Migraine; A.D. Hershey, et al.; January 2007
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Coenzyme Q10
